Sewn produce bags

In an attempt to reduce my plastic footprint I have been 'trying' to reuse the plastic tubs before recycling and where possible buy fruit and veg loose, not easy, but I am trying.

I noticed that several shops still use plastic bags for their produce rather than the brown paper ones we used to use many years ago, so I decided to have a go and make my own reusable produce bags.

I bought a reduced voile net for £2 (tried several charity shops but they don't appear to get many in) and reused some spare laces we had hanging around. I already had the spring loaded clasps in my sewing stash so I was ready to go!

Now, I am not great at sewing, but I do enjoy it and I have to focus ALL my attention on it so it is a great way to clear the mind of other things on a day off!

I used Crafty Pattie on YouTube video https://youtu.be/Y8GP8QOJnuw 

as the basis then adapted it as the voile curtain already had some pieces with the seam already (since it was a ready made curtain).

I made 3 just to see how they last, wash etc.  I have plenty of fabric left over to make a few more if they last ok.

I was really pleased with how they turned out, I am not a natural sewer so pleased I made something that was functional and actually worked!!

If you have any tips on making these please let me know

Kyla

Christmas present de stashing

Now this is a tale of learning from experience!

I decided this year to try and make a foldable shopping bag, one that had a way of folding and staying folded in my handbag.  I cobbled together a few different designs on Pinterest and thought I had it sorted.  A bag with a small pocket in the front (for lists etc) and a button and piece of elastic so I could roll it up and secure it........and herein lies the issue.

It didn't dawn on me that the elastic would need to be long enough to stretch all the way round the bag when rolled.....so it came up FAR too short and wouldn't do up! 

Back to the drawing board!!  This bag is used as one of the "chuck it in the boot of the car" bags I tend to keep in there rather than waste it.

So, then I tried again but this time I used my first bag rolled up as a template and measured some elastic (and added a bit for good luck)........

and this time it worked!  

I made a nice label and thought it would be a lovely present for Christmas so I made a couple more in different colours.  They take a while to make as sewing isn't natural to me and involved taking a couple days off work to do them, but I got there in the end!

Yes, I know it would be cheaper and easier to have bought bags-but I enjoy making them (though you wouldn't know it if you could hear the language that accidentally comes out across my sewing machine at times!!) and it forces me to take some time off work (which is never a bad thing).

If anyone has any ideas for good destashing ideas for fabric please let me know!  Last year I made the tissue holders from fellow WOYWW crafters Fiona and Jan's instructions (they were brilliant but I made so many everyone got one) and some notebook covers so I am looking for ideas ready for next Christmas!

Happy crafting

Kyla

Stuff it all in bag

The other week I showed a photo of the final stages of making an extra large slouch tote bag.

We started at our regularly crafting coven and I finished it off at home.  Out of the various bags I have made I think this was probably the most confusing (mainly due to the fact that you cut the fabric out then reposition and sew it a different way) and it took a long time to make.  

 

I think I would made it again but I would probably make it slightly narrower and maybe add a few more pockets.  It folds up smaller and I think it would be perfect for a holiday (stuffing it all in swimming cossie, lunch, hat etc). 

 I just have to forget the pain of making it so I can face making another one!

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

Sugar and spice and all things nice

 I thought I would share some of the presents I have made this year (now the coast is clear to share them!).

I made a few of these small lined zipper bags.  Some I stuffed with shop bought goodies others with vouchers.

 I also made several batches of Elderflower cordial this year and also sloe gin (the sloe gin I give as gifts has been maturing for a couple of years, I never give this years as I like the flavours to develop and mellow).  I also made another batch of spiced sugar (with bay leaves from the garden, cloves, cinnamon etc)

Hopefully people like the gifts, they usually ask if they can have some more so I am assuming they do!

Happy crafting

kyla

 

An oversized tote bag

Just when you thought it was safe to venture back to my blog here comes ANOTHER bag!

This one I made for my sister in law's birthday.  Its quite big so I thought it would be perfect for her to put folders etc in for work (I often keep a small cross body bag for phones, purse and keys for security and  a large tote for "stuff" so thought this may work if I made the tote larger than usual).

Once again it has iron on fusible fleece between the layers to give it some body and the outer fabric is upholstery fabric so it is quite thick and robust, an inner pocket and 2 pockets on the outside, perfect for tissues, travel card or notebook.

I have also been trying to find a good pattern/instructions for a messenger bag so if anyone can recommend one please let me know.

Happy crafting

kyla

 

Lip balm holders

 Hello, finally getting through posting all the presents I made for people at Christmas (sorry, I keep trying to mix the posts up with some journaling and cards).

These were an idea I found on Pinterest, they are lip balm holders using some scraps of fabric left over from previous projects, some cotton inside (so they are lined even though the only way you can see the lining is if you take out the balm and peer inside), some thin stabiliser and a D ring.  They don't take too long to knock up and I think they make a really cute stocking filler.  

I also made a bright and cheerful desk calendar (free standing A frame sort-no idea what they are called!).

 Just a couple of small fillers or handy gifts for friends (I even had a male friend who is a cyclist mention they use lip balm on the morning commute to work so I think I need to keep my eye for 'manly' prints so I can make one for him).

A short and sweet update today, happy crafting

Kyla

A couple more presents

Hello peeps, so I can finally show you some more items that I have made.

These items were made for my Mum's birthday (which was yesterday-Happy Birthday Mum!) so I had to wait to share them.

As you know, I have been making bags during the later half of last year and in the run up to Christmas this was one of the bags I made.  Pale greens and turquoise are my Mum's colours so when I sorted through my fabric stash I knew just who I needed to make one for.

 The bags are all the same pattern, but this one was slightly bigger so that you could fit knitting and a book in it, ideal for mum.

 I lined it with some cotton fabric and the bag is once again made using fusible fleece so it has some structure to it.

The other gift I made her was back in the summer when I did my Glass Fusing course with my friend Val.  It was a great day and I made coasters, necklace pendants, keyrings and this, my very first sun catcher to hang in the window.

Across the top is a tubing of glass so that you can feed some thread through to hang it up and the sand coloured glass between the waves is frit, which is a very fine ground multi coloured glass.

I really enjoyed the class and one I will definitely do again this year (ready to make Christmas presents for next year I was thinking!).

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

 

A fern handbag

 Hello peeps are you ready for another update?  This time it is another bag.  After making that one in the summer with Jan I have been loving making them.  Again they take ages but even though I say so they do look really professional.

This one is slightly smaller and is made from a lovely fern stylised fabric that I made for my sister in laws birthday (the week before Christmas).

Again it is lined with an inside and outside pocket and has a inset zipped gusset  and I have used iron on fusible fleece to make the bag quite sturdy so it stands itself up.

I do love these bags and I admit I find it hard to give them away but regardless what I tell my husband a woman really can have too many handbags (but shh...don't tell him!).

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

WOYWW in a special place!

Hello peeps, yep its Wednesday again!  This week I have an extra special workdesk to share...now it's not from Wednesday but actually from Tuesday because I spent the day with the lovely Lunchlady Jan.  At the last crop I asked Jan if she did sewing lessons to improve my skills and she kindly offered a days sewing!

So off I went with my machine and SO much fabric stash in the boot of the car ready to hone my bag making skills.  During the morning the lovely Julia must have smelled the coffee as her timing was impeccable!

 from the left, Julia, me and Jan

I brought my "Man Bites Dog" cards with me and Julia did the honours by picking some for this weeks desk:

 "Teen Rehab Missing Again"....oooh, considering these are picked as random they can be quite dark!

Jan is a great tutor and soon my skills were being honed to another level and after a few hours (made longer as I do have a tendency to chat!) I had a bag that I am SO proud of....look:

 It has pockets and lining

and even a recessed zip!  I am so chuffed that its going to work with me tomorrow...and it is NOT going to be a Christmas pressie for one of my sister in laws as I thought it would be as I love it too much to give it away!!

So thanks Jan for a great day, great lunch, fabulous tuition and for putting up with a messy crafter!  Thanks also to Julia, without WOYWW I would not have made so many new friends (not easy as you get older) to share my crafting passion.

So there you go, I have the skills and now need to have another go at making a bag...somehow I think it wont look as good, but hey I have learnt a new skill and that can never be a bad thing!

Happy WOYWW

Kyla

 

Shopping in style

A few weeks ago (possibly more) I had this bag (uncoloured) on one of my WOYWW posts.

I finally finished it!  Ta da!

It wasn't difficult.  I bought this large heavy canvas shopping bag with the architect centre design in black outline on the front for only £1.50 in our local independent market.  I thought I would brighten it up a bit.  I considered stitching, but remembered I had some fabric pastels that I hadn't used much since they were given to me as a gift a couple of years ago, so thought this would be the perfect opportunity.

Sometimes, when you are having a bad day I find that whatever I try to make looks awful...its like my bad mood transfers into the finished article, not good.  So, having a small area to colour in bright fabric pastels seemed like a fool proof way of crafting on the odd occasion when the mojo takes a break!

I set it with an iron and now have a natty and stylish shopping bag.  All ready for my next outing.

Happy crafting

Kyla

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wow, Santa was very generous this year and I have lots of new crafting goodies to experiment with (boy, am I going to get in a mess!). I can finally publish some of the items I have made for people for their pressies (now that they have opened them). Here are just some of them....

This is an altered book I made for my mum which contained a necklace and ear rings that I made. I carved the book out to create a recessed area to hold the jewelry.

I also embroidered some serviettes for my sister-in-law as they have recently moved into a new home, I love the retro feel of the flamingo, she is a great baker, hence the cake, they have an aquariam, hence the fish and the love birds are because they were married last year...ahhhh...

This is a necklace I made for my Nan, all the way over in New Zealand, it's made from serpentine and is long enough so that she can slip it over her head, but also has a lobster clasp so that she can make it into a double shorter neckalce should she wish.


This is a bag I made for my mum with a removable brooch, its lined and has a magnetic clasp inside to keep it a bit more secure (I'm not too good at working out how to insert zips yet!) and is made the fabric (blue and butter cream spots) from the 2 skirts I have already made her (I have a few more in the nest that I need to crack on and make).

And finally, my multi-cultural snow people!! .......

Seasons Greetings.
Li'l Pidge x

Crafting, crafting and a gargoyle

I know you shouldn't open a statement with an apology, but rules are made to be broken aren't they? So, sorry, I have been really pants with updating this-the weather has been too nice to sit in front of the computer. But I'll make up for it (honest guv).

So, what's been going on then in the world of Li'l Pidge? Well, I have been stretching my wings and flying south for a bit. I took my new bag that I made with some of the material my friend Jill bought for my birthday on my new machine (which you will be pleased to know is still alive). I made a lining:
and included a small pocket with a little label and a magnetic clasp

and then made the cover, added a handle and then some of the lovely material on the covering flap:


I am SO proud!! I have been parading it up and down, and took it around on a quick tour of Devon (where we saw a great gargoyle)

and possibly the maddest scarecrow EVER (just check out the eyes!):


Back on the crafting front, I made a pair of gloves out of some bits of wool I had (dont look too close or you will notice a couple of holes that lead to no-where!):

They even have sparkly white glittery wool in them-a little scratchy, but sparkly, so its worth it. I am knitting a matching skinny scarf at the moment-I know, I should knit something summery, but I can only do a few basic stitches and this is my first attempt at switching wool (thanks mum for the instructions) so increasing and decreasing (and not creating holes that shouldnt be there) will have to be my next lesson!.

The postie brought my latest ATC swap from the CB Forum (who again published a photo of my tag book on their e-newsletter-gosh! I am so chuffed),
The ducks ATC was from Crafty Kayleigh 85 and the elephant from Purple pixie - how cute are they? The theme in March was of course "BBQ wild foraging stylee", (joke! I am a veggie of nearly 20 years!) it was of course Animals.

This is one of the latest cards I have made with my new Crafty Individual Stamp of the trees. I coloured it with distressed ink using a makeup sponge, then distressed the edges, tearing and sanding it down, then inked a dark brown around it image.


I mounted this on patterned paper then attached stamped acetate and attached with brads to get over the problem of seeing glue/tape through the acetate

I have also been experimenting with another new stamp from Crafty Individuals (loving their angel policy) and some mica powders, in dark and pale colours:

and a bit of grungy/rockabilly influenced red and black card:

So, that's most of the catch-up, and the new series of CSI is calling-so time to fly off.

Take care peeps, and happy crafting.

Li'l Pidge

Sick to the back teeth, but not of crafting

Sometimes, you have to admit that life sucks. You get good weeks, and you get bad. The past week was a bad-un. My hands, knees and feet have been hurting like hell and to top it all the temporary filling my dentist put in when my root infection cleared up is still in as the dentist cancelled and it is now all swollen again and so painful I cannot touch it-so lets just say when you are feeling pretty damned grotty, its hard to pick yourself up and get on with things, yes I know you have to, work demands, home etc etc, yadda yadda. But, even then, it still boils down to the fact that sometimes life sucks! But as we all know, the wonderful world of craft allows us to express ourselves and to a degree lose ourselves, even if only for 15 mins to make a card.

So, with this all in mind, I have managed to get a lot of crafting done. Some of it I cant publish yet as they are for pressies, but even then I managed to get a lot done.

I also got my prize for the New Year Card Challenge on the CB Forum, from the lovely Jane, in the post this week, a lovely array of paper crafting products which I am going to love playing around with.

I made another of one of my favourites this week-shaker cards! A couple of friends have just had their first child, so this was the perfect excuse I need to get out the acetate and the micro beads.

I am such a sucker for a shaker card, a bit of noise and movement in what can be a boring everyday object is always a bonus (just think of John Travolta in a 1970s white suit!!)

So, in an effort to try and forget my woes (lets not even go into the gas bill that came this weekend-I know its been cold, but I didnt realise that I signed up with Dick Turpin utilities!) I threw myself into making valentine cards, using glitter glue, acetate and some light airdrying clay to make heart shaped lock and keys.

Gotta love a bit of embossing

oh, and there's the acetate and glitter glue....
and the airdrying clay (I am loving this card...big hint to my OH!!)

Then I decided that I need a bit of bling in my life to cheer me up so I made myself a large statement piece, of a lovely green wooden and pearl ring

I dread to think what I must look like, so far I have made a skirt, bag, jewelry and a scarf-well, at least I know that no-one else will be wearing the same!

And to top it all I have made some fabric brooches, a few of which I have managed to sell, so that is even more money to charity (but now I need to make some more to replace them!).

Well, I did say I needed cheering up!
Then to top it all, I decided that I would try something new. I made a handbag. I made the whole thing in 2 hours, including cutting, interfacing and stitching and even adding a magnetic closure. I lined it and added a gussetted bottom (ooer) so that I could cram even more goodies into it when out shopping! This time I am really pleased, as I am a bit of a handbag fetish, and they arent very cheap-so this is a great alternative!














I am loving this material-so far I have made an apron, skirt and bag from it! I am SO proud of this, especially since I bothered lining it also (as I tend to cut corners when its something for myself). My OH said that when I went into the office in the morning I was SO down, in pain and generally ready to give up, and when he came home he didnt know what to expect. What he wasnt expecting was a flurry of activity, with scissors, ironing of interfacing, sewing machine etc all happening at speed and a happy me!! I would say that crafting is cheaper than therapy, but as any of you know, for every bit of re-purposed wall paper and old junk we use, there are expensive stamps, glitters, flocks and a whole host of lovelyness in the craft shops (as well as craft fairs)!
As I said, its been a busy week. Yes, it has taken me longer than usual to make some things, but the main thing is that I have spend time doing something I enjoy, and what is life if you cant have a pice of happiness now and again (and to spread this around, I also sent out a few random acts of kindness to some of the ladies on the CB fourm, well karma is always good to stay in the right side of!!).

Anyway, off to play in the craft room.
Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x